JNLR figures Confirm Need for Review of Broadcast Funding

The JNLR figures published today reaffirm the need for a review of the broadcast funding in Ireland, according to the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. The latest JNLR figures confirm independent radio continues to thrive across Ireland. Every day more that 2.5 million people listen to independent radio compared with 891,000 for RTÉ Radio 1 and 411,000 for RTÉ 2FM.

Chairman of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, Scott Williams said, “Irish people have a unique relationship with radio and independent radio plays a vital role in every community around Ireland. Today’s figures show that Independent radio is consistently winning and retaining a majority share of Irish radio listeners.”

“RTÉ is not the sole public service broadcaster in the state, as each week independent radio broadcasts over 1,300 hours of public service content, however, RTÉ is considered Ireland’s only “public service broadcaster” and receives 100% of the licence fee”.

“More than two out of every three minutes listening in Ireland is to independent stations because our local, regional and national radio stations are providing a service listeners clearly want tune in to. The Independent Broadcaster of Ireland remain firmly of the view that the licence fee should be used to fund public service broadcasting by both RTÉ and the 36 independent radio stations across Ireland for the benefit of their listener”.

“The introduction of the new Public Service Broadcasting charge presents Minister Rabbitte with an opportunity to address this funding imbalance and level the playing field for the listeners of independent radio”, concluded Mr. Williams.